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Point Loma Lighthouse

Located on the military base at the southern tip of Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, the Old Point Loma Lighthouse (built in 1855) served as a beacon for sailors for centuries, and today serves as a link to our past.

The Old Point Loma Lighthouse stood watch over the entrance to San Diego Bay for 36 years. At dusk on November 15, 1855, the light keeper climbed the winding stairs and lit the light for the first time. What seemed to be a good location 422 feet above sea level, however, had a serious flaw. Fog and low clouds often obscured the light.

On March 23, 1891, the light was extinguished and the keeper moved to a new lighthouse location closer to the water at the tip of the Point.

Today, the Old Point Loma Lighthouse still stands watch over San Diego, sentinel to a vanished past. The National Park Service has refurbished the interior to its historic 1880s appearance - a reminder of a bygone era. Ranger-led talks, displays, and brochures are available to explain the lighthouse’s interesting past.

- we are closed Christmas Day, December 25. For security purposes, the entrance station closes at 4:30 PM, the main gate into Cabrillo National Monument is closed at 4:45 PM, and all visitors must exit the park by

5:00 PM

.

5:00 PM Park Closure

On Sunday, October 1, 2006, the Navy began closing Post 2 on Cabrillo Memorial Drive (Catalina Blvd.) and Electron Drive at 5:00 PM. As a result, 5:00 PM is the latest that the general public is allowed to enter the Federal Naval Reservation. This change means that we have returned to the visiting hours that were in effect until 1998. Unfortunately, it also means that visitors will no longer be able to stay on the grounds of Cabrillo National Monument until sunset.

This is a permanent change and is being done to improve the security of Naval Base Point Loma and to make more efficient use of limited Navy funds. Closing Post 2 at 5:00 PM also enables us to make more efficient use of our staff by having an additional ranger on duty in the mornings to protect park resources, complete projects, and provide assistance for law enforcement and first-aid emergencies.